The Town of Kirklin has announced the installation of a new outdoor automated external defibrillator (AED) at the town park, thanks to a generous anonymous donor.
According to a recent announcement from the Town of Kirklin, the AED is located on the north-facing wall between the park’s two bathrooms. The unit is illuminated to make it easier to locate during nighttime emergencies.
Unlike AEDs kept inside buildings that may be inaccessible after hours, Kirklin’s new unit is housed in a weatherproof enclosure designed to provide access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The enclosure protects the equipment from rain, snow, dust and extreme temperatures and features thermostat controls to help maintain safe operating temperatures during Indiana winters.
The AED is equipped with both adult and pediatric electrode pads. An interior LED light also helps users see the equipment in low-light conditions.
Town officials said the unit is the only outdoor case of its kind in Clinton County.
How to access the AED
In an emergency, residents should first call 911 and tell the dispatcher their location and that they need access to the outdoor AED. The dispatcher will provide the access code for the enclosure.
Once the AED is retrieved, users should follow its voice instructions while emergency responders are on their way.
An AED can help restore a normal heart rhythm in certain cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Combined with prompt CPR, early defibrillation can improve a person’s chance of survival.
The town expressed its gratitude to the anonymous donor for investing in the safety and well-being of the Kirklin community.
Officials said they hope the device is never needed but emphasized the importance of residents knowing where it is located and how to access it if an emergency occurs.
The Town of Kirklin is encouraging residents to share the announcement so more people know about the new lifesaving resource available at the park.